Best Open Kitchen Restaurants in Westwood

Great food and ambience, our server was great, very responsive to our request. The food was quite pricey though

The staff at is amazing—A+ all the way. They’re super accommodating, friendly, and make you feel well taken care of. We had the wagyu Bolognese, and it was incredible. The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was rich and flavorful, with the wagyu beef adding an extra level of indulgence. The crab salad was fresh and light, with the perfect balance of citrus and herbs to bring out the natural sweetness of the crab. For the main course, we shared the Large Seabass with Tomatoes, Capers, and Potatoes, and it was outstanding. The fish was flaky and tender, with a crispy skin, and the tomatoes and capers added a nice tangy touch. The potatoes tied it all together with a comforting, hearty feel. I can’t leave out the oysters—they were so fresh and briny, easily some of the best I’ve had. And the lobster pasta? Hands down one of my favorites. The lobster was juicy and generous, and the creamy sauce made every bite heavenly. This is now one of my go-to spots. The food, the service, the whole experience—it’s all excellent. Highly recommend!

Chef/owner Nicola is one of the top Italian chefs in LA. He is at the center of Osteria Vera, in their open kitchen, preparing and overseeing the preparation of everything. His food is delicious. We had the Hamachi crudo, topped with lemon and shaved bottarga, the Lechuga salad, another pasta dish with spaghetti and more bottarga (our favorite) and the roast duck. I love duck and this was prepared perfectly; meaty and tender pieces with crisp skin. The service was excellent; friendly, attentive, well paced.

Exceptional tasty with great variety and creativity. This is THE best special occasion restaurant in Los Angeles. I have gone to Melisse for years and it never disappoints.

Excellent food and service. Will definitely be coming back again.